Columbia 3-in-1 Parkas

[HillSlugger]

I used to have one, except the inner part was insulated and not fleece. Lasted me many years until the zipper broke. I rarely separated the two parts. I've thought several times about getting another.

[Triskeliongirl]

I have had one for years. They are great for san antonio, cuz you can wear the outer shell alone as a great rain jacket in SA (if you get the omnitech fabric) but zip in the liner when you go to a cold place. I wore mine to Austria in winter and was fine with the liner. So, its a relatively inexpensive way to have some variety. But do be advised to buy one of the longer styles (i.e. be sure it covers your butt!).

BUT, if you want something higher tech for sports, I agree with the recommendation for a goretex shell with a high tech fleece inside. I also think that I look heavier in the columbia 3 in 1s than in separate pieces. In fact, I prefer the outer shell of my columbia, with my shebeest windpro jacket or terry cycling vest inside instead of the fleece that came with it (and or an ibex shak and base under that). But that means there are lots of ways to use it. So buy a good one and you will have the best of both worlds.

Locally, usually sun and ski sports and the sports authority carry a few (so you can get sized), but you'll have more variety and better prices at sierra trading post. Also, be careful, not all of their styles zip together, some are separate. LL Bean also makes a similar kind of parka (and I think their prices are better).

[Cataboo]

Other places to check:

Tjmaxx or Marshall's. I haven't been recently but they do tend to have Columbia at good prices. But what they also have had a lot of recently is Cloudveil. They also sometimes have Marmot jackets.

I'm a bit of a gear snob - but Columbia's sort of the bottom end of the totem pole gear wise. They make a lot of popular styles - and a lot of it looks good but isn't actually all that functional (which is why I said to make sure that the jacket is waterproof & breathable) or what you want when you're mountaineering or ice climbing or skiing - Wackyjacky is just going to Europe, so it probably doesn't really matter - but I can't recommend that someone pay full price for Columbia.

But you can generally find on sale garments from higher end manufacturers that are less than the cost of the Columbia stuff either full price or on sale.

So other brands I'd recommend she look at - Mountain Hardwear (columbia does own them, but their gear is better), Marmot, Cloudveil, REI, Patagonia, Arc'teryx (this last one will probably be too expensive)

If you're a size medium, thegearrevival store on ebay usually has great prices on size medium women's clothes & outerwear - they're an outdoor store down in Atlanta and they get a lot of manufacturer's samples and ebay them.

Other places:
sierratradingpost as Triskelion girl mentioned
- Don't buy at sierratrading post without checking the fatwallet coupon thread because there's usually a 20% off coupon available, and going through microsoft live cashback generally gets you 12% back or so

altrec.com (again, use microsoft live)
backcountry.com
backcountryoutlet.com

rei.com
reioutlet.com

(REI's house brand of outdoor gear tends to be very good and relatively inexpensive)


Rotating deal sites to watch:
tramdock.com
steepandcheap.com

[Cataboo]

There's a marmot zip in compatible fleece on steepandcheap currently for $33 down from $80.

It's a good insulating fleece - it's not a windproof one, so a shell over it'll be good.

[wackyjacky1]

I'll certainly check out all your suggestions. Part of the problem I have in finding decent sporting/athletic gear is that I wear Chunky Mama sizes, and it's really really really really really really really...REALLY...hard to find stuff in 1X or 2X. The internet is about my only hope of finding stuff. (Hey, apparel manufacturers, I know I'm overweight, but that doesn't mean I'm not exercising or enjoying the outdoors!!! )

I might take a closer look at LLBean's 3-in-1...

[Cataboo]

I don't know for sure about all the brands - but I know REI has extended sizing, so they might have something.

[wackyjacky1]

Cool, I'll give them a look. Sierratradingpost.com didn't have anything.

[Triskeliongirl]

I do know that LLbean's sizing is more generous than many of the more athletic brands, so their XL may work. If not, I noticed if you select misses sizing in this you can get 1X, 2X, 3X, etc.:

http://www.llbean.com/webapp/wcs/sto...&rtnComp=&np=Y


Also, if you take out their credit card you'll get free shipping and return shipping, so you could even order a couple sizes and return what doesn't work at no charge. Also they are giving $10 gift cards for purchases over $50 right now. The quality of their stuff is excellent.